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Applications for EU funding of free public Wifi hotspots open in February – Carthy

As Shadow Rapporteur of the Wifi4EU file, Sinn
Féin MEP, Matt Carthy, this week provided an update on the process to apply for
free public wi-fi hotspots.

Matt Carthy said:

“The European Commission has reported that it
is working on an online portal which will be available in the coming weeks so
that local authorities and installation companies can apply to the Wifi4EU
scheme.

“I am told that the European Commission
expects that the launch of applications will take place in February.

“The Wifi4EU funding amounting
to €120million will provide up to 8000 free public Wi-Fi hotspots across
the EU.

“The scheme will give local areas, especially
those who do not have a high level of internet connectivity currently, the
opportunity to avail of grants for free wifi-hotspots in public areas.

“I would encourage all those local authorities
who are interested in applying to the scheme to stay up to date and watch out
for the launch of the scheme.

“The funding will be granted on a ‘first-come,
first-served’ basis but, crucially, will prioritise rural and remote
communities, who do not currently avail of public Wi-fi hotspots.
This should obviously mean that communities within the Midlands North West
constituency which I represent will be considered if applications are
submitted.

“Increased internet connectivity benefits the
promotion of tourism, which is an essential sector in many rural
areas. Additionally, the development of local domestic economies,
particularly those dependent on small and medium businesses, rely upon
a decent infrastructure and reliable internet connectivity in order to develop.

“The level of internet connectivity in rural
areas is trailing that of urban areas, as a result of the lack of investment
from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments. It is unacceptable for a digital divide to
exist between rural and urban areas.

“Families residing in rural areas deserve to
be able to live and work in their communities and not have to move to where
internet connectivity and other resources are accessible. It is unacceptable
that rural broadband is not a norm across the fifteen counties of the
Midlands North-West constituency, unlike other EU regions.

“The approach of the Wifi4EU initiative
provides an opportunity for rural areas to avail of internet connectivity in
public spaces, as the Irish Government has absolutely failed to do so.

“I will endeavour to ensure rural communities
are aware of the developments to apply to the Wifi4EU scheme”.